Disclaimer: I do NOT own Pride and Prejudice. That wonderful book belongs to Miss Jane Austen. I am merely a humble fan.
A/N: This is an alternate ending to the book told from Georgiana Darcy's point of view.
The Wedding Gift
Georgiana Darcy was beyond excited that Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her relations had accepted an invitation to dine at Pemberley. Pemberley was such a grand and beautiful estate that she doubted anyone could refuse an invitation to dine there. Yet, she hoped it was not the scenery or grandness of the building that drew Miss Bennet to Pemberley. Rather, Georgiana hoped that affection, even a very slight one, for Mr. Darcy had drawn Miss Elizabeth to Pemberley.
Georgiana already knew of her brother's ardent love for Miss Elizabeth without him ever telling her so in such a clear and direct manner. It seemed in the last several months everything reminded him of Miss Bennet. When she played at the pianoforte he would sigh and mention how lovely Miss Elizabeth's playing had been at Rosing's Park. When Georgiana and her brother went for a brief stroll around the grounds he would relate how very fond of walking Miss Elizabeth was. Yes, Georgiana was quite certain that her brother was in love with Miss Elizabeth. This evening's dinner party was a perfect opportunity to gage Miss Bennet's affections for her brother.
The evening did not go as Georgiana had envisioned. Every time Georgiana sensed Miss Elizabeth was trying to engage her in conversation, Miss Bingley would interrupt. It hadn't helped that the Bingley sisters had arranged it so that Miss Elizabeth was as far away from her as possible. Then Miss Bingley felt bold enough to hint at Miss Elizabeth's affections towards the militia and one soldier in particular. Georgiana felt her chest ache with unaccustomed tightness when she realized who Miss Bingley was referring to. She may have been a naïve girl once, but she was far from that innocent child now. Experience was a cruel teacher who forced unwanted knowledge of human nature upon her.
Georgiana gazed at the teacup resting in her hands and allowed her hair to shield her eyes. She was not afraid of Miss Bingley's remarks. She was only afraid that she was not yet wise enough to give a detached response. Luckily Miss Bennet was capable of delivering an indifferent response that closed the matter. Georgiana was aware of Miss Bingley shifting next to her as she struggled to regain the upper hand in the conversation. When Georgiana felt confident enough to sneak a peak at Miss Elizabeth she saw the woman exchanging a meaningful look with Mr. Darcy.
Georgiana knew in her heart that this was the signal she had been praying for. Miss Elizabeth's gaze held concern for Mr. Darcy's family but it also held trust, friendship…and perhaps the sparks of love. Then Miss Elizabeth sought Georgiana's gaze, silently giving reassurance to the younger girl. Georgiana felt her heart surge with affection for this woman. It was no great wonder to Georgiana that her brother had fallen in love with Miss Elizabeth, and Georgiana was determined to have Miss Elizabeth as her sister one day.
The next morning Mr. Darcy had gone out to attend to business in Lambton. Georgiana and Miss Bingley both knew this meant he was going to visit Miss Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle. Miss Bingley sat in the parlor attempting to read, then she moved to the writing table, then finally stood to pace around the room. Her aggravation at being left behind at Pemberley was evident with each stride she took.
"Come into town with me today, Miss Darcy." Miss Bingley urged. "It would be no fun being cooped up here with nothing to do all day."
"I would hardly call spending a day at Pemberley being "cooped up", Miss Bingley." Georgiana said as she sat down at her pianoforte.
"But don't you want to see the quaint little shops in Lambton." Miss Bingley continued. "Why of all the times I've come to Pemberley I don't think I have ever visited them."
Georgiana thought for a moment. "Yes, it could be lovely to see the shops." Georgiana agreed. She gazed out the window lost in thought. "Perhaps there is a good jewel setter in Lambton." She murmured. "Excuse me, Miss Bingley." She said hastily as she got up and went upstairs.
Upstairs in her room Georgiana kept a little chest hidden away in the darkest corner of her large closet. Her breath grew ragged as she slowly opened the chest. Inside lie several beautiful pieces of jewelry made of sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. Georgiana paid no attention to the finery in front of her focusing instead on a few finely cut diamonds and sapphires. Georgiana picked them up with almost reverent care. These stones were meant to be a part of a necklace her mother had intended to give to Fitzwilliam's future wife. Fitzwilliam had told her this when he felt she was old enough to possess the jewels. The sight of the jewels always brought pain to her brother's eyes. To Georgiana the jewels represented the bright future their parents had hoped for their children, but to Fitzwilliam the jewels represented the future their parents would never see or be a part of. Georgiana carefully wrapped the jewels in cloth and tucked them into her pocket before returning downstairs.
"I'm ready to go to town now, Miss Bingley." She said.
"Delightful," Miss Bingley beamed. "The carriage is ready." She said as she began walking out the door.
The trip to Lambton was uneventful. Despite being the one who suggested the trip, Miss Bingley seemed disinterested in the town shops. Occasionally she would glance at the merchandise for sale before insulting it and moving on. The only thing Miss Bingley seemed concerned with was occasionally passing the inn where Miss Elizabeth was staying. When Miss Bingley seemed satisfied that Mr. Darcy was not there visiting Miss Bennet she moved on. While Miss Bingley was passing the inn for the seventh time, Georgiana slipped away to find a jeweler. She found one in Lambton with decent enough skill to set the stones in a necklace she picked out. Georgiana once again hid the jewels in a cloth before returning to Miss Bingley, who seemed to not even notice her absence.
The carriage ride to Pemberley was as rough and bumpy as it had been on the way to Lambton. The difference was on the trip to Lambton Georgiana had taken care to make sure the jewels did not fall out of her pocket as the carriage bounced along the road. On the way back weariness took a toll on Georgiana and she let her hand fall from its protective position on her pocket. She hardly even noticed until their carriage hit a rut in the road and the necklace went tumbling from her pocket. Georgiana tried to catch the necklace before it slid to the carriage floor, but she was too late. Miss Bingley saw the necklace and scooped it up before Georgiana could reach it.
"Why, Georgiana, this is a magnificent necklace." Miss Bingley remarked. "Is this what you meant when you were muttering about a jewel setter before we departed?"
Georgiana blushed when she realized Miss Bingley had heard her after all. "Yes, Miss Bingley. It was."
"Well, I don't know why you felt the need for such secrecy my dear friend," Miss Bingley chastised. "This necklace will look lovely on you." She commented as she handed the necklace back to Georgiana.
"Well you see," Georgiana was not in the habit of lying. "I didn't intend the necklace to be for me."
"Oh." Miss Bingley seemed to be at a loss for words for a couple seconds. When she recovered she asked, "And who, may I ask, is the necklace for?"
"It's for my brother's wife." Georgiana looked down at the floor as she answered. She suddenly felt as if her wish was a foolish notion. "I mean not that he is currently married obviously. I simply meant it's for the woman he will one day marry. These jewels belonged to our mother and I thought them a fitting wedding gift for that fortunate woman."
"That is a spectacular idea." Miss Bingley exclaimed. Her eyes lit up as she allowed herself to imagine herself as mistress of Pemberley. Miss Bingley could already see that diamond and sapphire neck accenting her pale throat. "You are a kind girl indeed. Any woman would be blessed to have you for a sister, Miss Darcy."
"Thank you." Georgiana said sincerely. "I thought the sapphires would do well for bringing out Miss Elizabeth's eyes." She was so caught up in her fantasy of having Elizabeth for a sister that she did not see Miss Bingley's expression turn dark and cold.
"Miss…Elizabeth….?" Miss Bingley spat out. "Why ever would she wear that necklace?"
"Because my brother has grown fond of her," Georgiana said. "You must have seen it, Miss Bingley. I'm positively in raptures at the idea of Miss Elizabeth as a sister." Georgiana knew Miss Bingley had designs on her brother. She considered Miss Bingley a friend so she put up with Miss Bingley's attempts to spoil Miss Elizabeth's character, but she had had enough. Perhaps this would impress upon Miss Bingley how unlikely it was for Mr. Darcy to propose to her.
"Yes, I have seen your brother's fondness for Miss Eliza." Miss Bingley admitted though it appeared to give her great pain to do so. "However, I saw it as a passing infatuation. One that would pass once your brother realized how unfit she would be for the position of mistress of Pemberley. Then he would seek out a more suitable woman to be his bride."
"I disagree, Miss Bingley." Georgiana said as politely as she could. "My brother has changed in many ways, and for the better in my opinion. I believe these changes have been brought about because of the presence of Miss Elizabeth in his life. Therefore I find that Miss Elizabeth would be a fine mistress for Pemberley."
Georgiana's tone made it clear that the matter was not open for discussion. Miss Bingley could do nothing but sit in stunned silence since her friend had never spoken to her in such a manner before. The rest of the ride was spent in cold silence.
A/N: I originally intended this to be a one-shot but when I got started I realized it would end up much longer. The next chapter includes how Miss Bingley will try to spite Georgiana's matchmaking and win Mr. Darcy for herself. I'm not yet sure whether this will be a two-shot or a longer story.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!! Tell me what you think and constructive criticism is welcome. But no flames.